The Day I Thought I'd Die in a Jeep in Aruba

So I'll admit it: When I'm in Aruba I have little to no desire to do anything other than lay under a chickee with a good chick read, slathered in sunscreen, and breaking only for a frozen cocktail or a quick dip which more often than not turns into a 2 hour ocean float. While this is wonderful, around day 4 or 5 I tend to get a bit antsy. Shamefully I'll admit that in the last 5 years in Aruba, I had never seen the entire island. I'd only heard rumors of volcanic rock, small mountains, and (gasp!) ocean waves. Until this trip. This time my husband joined the Aruba ranks (Tourists in Aruba seem to go year after year; once you go the Aruba hold takes over you and all other islands cease to exist. While laying on the beach, one of the friends we've made over the last few years came over to us and said to my husband, 'You didn't know that when you married her, you married Aruba'. It's that kind of place). Anyhow, my spouse who cannot sit still brought out my inner adventure and we decided to do a Jeep tour of the island, ending at the Natural Pool, a small water mass within the mountainous area of Aruba, filled with tons of colorful fish. A half day touring Aruba in a jeep with my beloved? Sign me up! Little did I know that Aruba is no ordinary island.

The Rich Part
After putting on our adventure hats and leaving the high rise strip (the only place to stay in my opinion), we toured the high class, super expensive area where no doubt celebrities vacation. I felt it necessary to document.

The Natural Bridge Part
Though part of it collapsed within the last few years, another part was still in tact. Though a nice woman on the tour tripped and fell, dislocating her arm (she saw something shiny, no doubt), I couldn't tear myself away from this amazing land mass, crumbled rock, and raging waves, the latter of which is never seen in the high rise hotel area.

The Almost Dying Part, Part 1

---FOOTAGE NOT FOUND---

This is the part where we climbed a huge mountain of rock and dirt in an open air Jeep. Since I was hiding my face and begging one of the girls in back of us to split her Xanax with me, please understand why there are limited photos. Mountains of rock, dirt flying at me, tires spinning, and many heart palpitations later, we made it to the Natural Pool where we snorkeled and got splashed with waves coming over giant rocks. Though this seemed like little payoff for the panic I'd endured and would be faced with again a mere 30 minutes later, it was fairly serene and a very cool natural element on the island.

The Almost Dying Part, Part 2
While I enjoyed cooling off in the Natural Pool, the ride back through the rocky madness was looming. More climbing of rocks, panic, and dirt flying. Though I was begging for it all to end, a sweet, old Asian woman in the jeep ahead of us seemed to be having a rockin' good time as she waved to us repeatedly as we all climbed the rocks. I figured if she could swing it, so could I.

I Made It!
While I am particularly weak when it comes to the type of adventure that could cause bodily harm, I had fun. I also may have slightly exaggerated about the almost dying part. I think most of it was safe. Maybe.

I saw some great parts of my beloved Aruba, spent the morning with S, and even felt like an adventurous traveler! As my dad would say, it let me know I'm alive. Would I do it again? Probably not. Though I did get to take a photo with this fab (and real!) background.

Aruba Travelogue: How To Do Breakfast 3 Ways

While I'm typically a low maintenance breakfast eater, the one time I truly enjoy breakfast is in Aruba. Not because it's particularly fantastic, but it's pretty darn good and I let myself splurge from my usual bowl of Special K with Red Berries (yum!). While spending 7 days in Aruba, I found the top three ways (and places) to do island breakfast. First, hot coffee with evaporated milk...the ONLY way to do Aruban coffee! I know it sounds a little weird, but trust me on this one...once you go evaporated, you won't go back.

Mornings at Playa Linda

Dunkin' Donuts
Previously my favorite form of Aruban breakfast, Dunkin' Donuts has an unsettlingly large presence in Aruba. You may be asking, "Why would I go all the way to Aruba...and then eat Dunkin' Donuts when I can get it on almost every street corner in the tri-state area?" Well because the Aruban DD is unlike any other US DD. Sure, it offers the same items - no crazy new donut combinations to speak of. But the donuts are just better.

Breakfast of champions

Exhibit 1: Vanilla or Chocolate Kreme Filled Donuts
Description: Super sweet buttercream-filled powdered donuts (not for everyday consumption)
Winner: Aruba
Conclusion: In the US, this donut would be mostly cake with a small squirt of cream inside the donut. In Aruba, however, the donut is so cream-filled that finishing it is a feat in itself. Beware of sugar-induced comas.
Exhibit 2: Medium Hazelnut Iced Coffee
Description: Pretty much speaks for itself
Winner: Aruba
Conclusion: Not sure if it's the water, prep, or island setting, but the Aruban DD iced coffee is more Hazelnutty and just overall tastier.
If you're staying on Palm Beach, there's one beach side at Playa Linda and one between the Occidental and the Radisson. Lines too long? Head across the street from Playa Linda, next to Smokey Joe's. Prices comparable to US.

Dushi Bagels

Also located at the Playa Linda (street side), Dushi Bagels took the lead this summer as my favorite breakfast provider. Boasting 'New York'-style bagels, Dushi serves up the basics like cream cheese, butter, and lox, but also includes breakfast sandwiches make of eggs, cheese, and any pork product your soon-to-be-clogged little heart desires.

My favorite Aruban breakfast joint

Ok, so it's not quite a New York bagel, but it's pretty close and whatever cheese they use (a swiss/gouda mix perhaps?) is phenomenal. My personal favorite is the egg, ham, and cheese on a plain toasted bagel. After a little morning run, this is the only way to get through to lunch time. Prices range from $2-$5.

The Bon Bini Cafe
Located at the Westin Aruba Resort (also the home of my July 2008 wedding), Bon Bini (meaning 'welcome' in Papiamento) Cafe boasts a breakfast buffet with the biggest and most delicious spread I've tasted to date. Though a bit more pricey than Dushi or Dunkin' and certainly not an everyday kind of breakfast, I suggest sampling the buffet at least one morning during your trip. Be prepared to spend around $20/person, and don't skip out on the waffle and omelet bars.

Aruba: One Dushi Travelogue On One Happy Island

Last week marked my sixth (!) visit to the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba, which just so happens to be my personal favorite Caribbean destination thus far. For the last five summers, I've spent a week per year at the Playa Linda Beach Resort in Palm Beach, and each year I fall just a little more in love with this One Happy Island. I have spent countless hours laying on the beach and floating in the cool ocean, eating Aruban Dunkin' Donuts to my heart's content, sampling Argentine beef at many of the local steakhouses; not to mention my own wedding took place in Aruba in Summer 2008 only to be followed up by our first anniversary in Aruba last weekend. Let's just say that I have often imagined Aruba as a seriously viable option for semi-permanent relocation. It's that good. Since I like to think of myself as an Aruba connisseur, I felt it only necessary to detail my travelogue, in both writing and photos, good eats, cheap eats, must see attractions, nightlife, and good old time passing relaxation.

Local Stats
1) It's a Dutch island
Outlined by colorful little shops and homes, it even includes a giant windmill brought over from the motherland.

2) The local language is Papiamento
Ok, so they also speak English. A combo of many languages like Spanish, Dutch, and Portugese, doesn't Papiamento just sound nicer than English? While tourists can certainly get by with English, try to pick up a few words in Papiamento before returning to the States.

3) If you pick up one phrase in Papiamento...
Make it 'mi dushi'. Dushi (say it with me..teeheehee), the term for 'sweet/dear/nice' is used all over the island and you can hear it in locals' conversations and on the sign at my favorite breakfast place (Dushi Bagels). I'm pretty sure it's destined to make it's way into the English language...

4) It's One Happy Island
The tag line featured everywhere from signage to souvenirs to license plates doesn't lie - Aruba really is One Happy Island. It's safe to leave your resort (don't let the Natalie Holloway coverage tell you otherwise) and people are friendly. I wouldn't go driving off in a car with any of them, but still. Just being able to walk and drive around while being greeted by smiling faces is enough for me. On a side note, I'm convinced that this slogan, while charming, should really be changed to 'One Dushi Island'.

So Bon Bini! to my Dushi Aruban Travelogue! Upcoming articles will include, but will not be limited to:
Top Three Ways To Do Breakfast
The Day I Thought I'd Die in a Land Rover in Aruba
How To Pass The Time On The Beach For 10 Hours a Day
Is There Nightlife in Aruba? Where?
...and more!